Montblanc has been making strides with watch enthusiasts over the last few years with increasingly esoteric and original timepieces in their 1858 line, from decently priced monopushers to unique global time displays. Gone are the days when their watches felt like an extension to their pens, as they?ve developed a language that pulls on exploration, their own history a brand, as well as that of the vaulted movement manufacturer Minerva, whose movements solely reside now in higher-end Montblanc’s.

Additionally, something that distinguishes Montblanc?s watches from the competition is their 500-hour testing. Using fully-assembled watches, they put each through a battery of tests in a lab, and only after passing are they released for sale, each including a certificate. Positioned across various price points, for 2022 they have compelling offerings from entry-level-for-Richemont and into firm luxury territory, all supported by this 500-hour test. In ascending order:
The Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date
I?m pretty sure that at the end of last year (or the year before) on the Worn & Wound podcast I either predicted or said I was hoping for brands to use more texture on their dials. Well, it seems like I got my way if the Iced Sea Automatic Date is any indicator. Inspired by the Mer de Glace, France?s largest Glacier, Montblanc devised some chillingly (sorry) cool (again) dials for their new line of diving watches.

Featuring 41mm x 12.9mm cases with 300m o...